It seems like every month I’m introducing this, with some variation of “it has been another chaotic month, and this is the music that has soundtracked it.” But it is still apt, and I don’t really have anything else to say. Here is a sampling of protest songs and albums released in March.
Songs/Videos:
Trickle Down – Sprints
The latest single by the Irish band is a critique of “Trickle Down” economics, a theory heavily promoted by former US President Ronald Reagan as part of his Reaganomics policy. The still heavily promoted theory is that tax cuts and economic polices that favor the rich will trickle down and benefit the working class. The reality was something completely different; the gap between the rich and the poor just keeps widening.
Regarding the song, the band stated, “’Trickle Down’ is about watching systems fail in slow motion, housing crisis, rising costs, culture wars, climate collapse, and being told to stay patient. It’s the frustration of a generation stuck in “wait mode” while everything burns.”
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Racism Is A Killa – Ziggy Marley
Following in his father Bob Marley’s footsteps, Ziggy has had a long career of releasing uplifting, socially conscious reggae music. His second single from his forthcoming album Brightside, out May 1 (will also receive a limited vinyl release on Record Store Day on April 18), is no exception. He also released a companion music video, which is described on the video’s YouTube page as “a high-stakes, satirical musical short film following one man’s quest to save humanity from a deadly virus.”
Previously featured a Daily Dose of Protest.
The Neighborhood – Marlon Craft
This is the fourth single and video from the socially conscious underground rapper’s forthcoming album The Internet Killed The Neighborhood, out April 2nd. The lyrics are a scathing indictment of social media and how it is used as a propaganda tool by the elite (“And every city of dreams become a city of memes dictated by a shitty regime”). It is also a critique of the divisive political online discourse that takes place on the internet.
Black Site – Cheekface
The indie rock trio just released their second single from their forthcoming album Podium, out July 28. This tune features the band’s quirky wit with satirical social commentary. The lyrics include references to music being used as a tool of coercion, boycotts, burning flags, and the Bill of Rights.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Shush – Tori Amos
This is the second single from Tori Amos forthcoming concept album In Times of Dragons, out May 1, 2026. The tune introduces her fictionalized, sadistic billionaire Lizard Demon husband, whom she is fleeing from. It is definitely relevant in the current political landscape.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
No Kings – Dead Pioneers
This is the second single (the first being “Nazi Teeth“) from the forthcoming album (their 2025 album PO$T AMERICAN was one of the best of the year), Wagon Burner, out June 26, 2026, by the Indigenous-fronted spoken word punk group Dead Pioneers. Concerning this scorching tune, frontman Gregg Deal explains, “While the issues are obvious, it’s important that we all say it out loud. We won’t allow our inherent rights to be trampled upon for the benefit of the Epstein Class… We are against dictators, authoritarian regimes, Nazis, fascism or any other power structure that seeks to take away the rights, freedoms or lives of human beings trying to live their life. To that, we keep it simple: NO KINGS.”
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Everything Is Great! – Carsie Blanton & The Burning Hell
This is the lead single and title track from the forthcoming collaborative album between politically minded singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton and Canadian indie band The Burning Hell (featuring Mathias Kom and Ariel Sharratt). Written in June of last year, the last time the US bombed Iran, and accompanied by a video featuring puppets, the humorous tune is a conversation between Blanton and Kom about the current state of affairs in the United States. The lyrics highlight the tendency to try to ignore the realities of the current political climate and to convince yourself that everything is great when it isn’t, instead of confronting those realities and having difficult conversations. It also concludes with a heartwarming message of friendship and solidarity.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Bad News – Seasick Steve
The latest single by blues singer-songwriter Seasick Steve was his response to travelling through the United States with his wife during the summer of 2024 and observing widespread poverty and political polarization. It is a funky tune with scathing lyrics that indict the current administration and the billionaire elite.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Parade – Moon Walker
This is the latest single for the upcoming album Wasteland Country, out May 1, 2026, by the socially conscious alt-rocker Moon Walker. The song is about the “No Kings” protest, and initially it was listed as “No Kings,” prior to the pre-save release of the album. The lyrics address efforts to suppress protest and dissent. It also addresses the billionaire class that profits from and helps fund a political system that exploits the poor.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Bless Your Heart (Fake Christians) – Snow Tha Product
The latest single by the Mexican-American rapper is a scathing indictment of the hypocrisy of “fake Christians,” especially in abandoning Jesus teaching on showing kindness to foreigners. The lyrics also denounce how they “weaponized all of it, don’t know what a proverb is, cherrypicking Bible scripts.” It is also relevant, considering the influence that many of these “fake Christians” have within the Trump administration, especially as it pertains to overseeing ICE and immigration enforcement.
Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Hard To Be a Flunky – Tim Kasser
This satirical protest tune is dedicated to the politicians, billionaire elites, and right-wing media influencers, and all others who serve as flunkies for Donald Trump.
Masters of War – Marco Leali
Leali is an Italian-based singer-songwriter who often writes socially conscious songs. He recently released his version of Bob Dylan’s classic anti-war protest song “Masters of War,” a tune still relevant.
Albums:
Mutiny After Midnight – Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds
Sturgill Simpson has always been an unconventional artist, and that is definitely the case with the release of his latest album under the Johnny Blue Skies moniker. Officially released only on physical formats on March 13, a couple of weeks before the leak, he self-leaked it on YouTube. He has since removed it to support independent record stores. The unconventional album rollout paid off, debuting at #3 on the US Billboard chart, exclusively on the strength of sales of physical copies. The album blends country funk with social commentary that resonates in the current political climate, with tunes such as “Make America Fuck Again,” “Excited Delirium” (speaking out against police militarization), and “Ain’t That a Bitch” (an anti-fascist indictment of the current administration and the oligarchy).
Help (2) – War Child Records
This collaborative album from War Child Records is a benefit album that raises funds for children around the globe affected by conflict. The original Help compilation was released in 1995. Featuring 23 tracks, and including artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Beck, Big Thief, Pulp, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Previously featured Fontaines D.C.’s covers of Sinéad O’Connor’s “Black Boys On Mopeds,” and Depeche Mode’s cover of “Universal Soldier” as Daily Dose of Protest.
An Undying Love For A Burning World – Neurosis
The first album from the veteran post-metal band since parting ways with founding member and lead vocalist/guitarist Scott Kelly, the band rebounded with a strong effort with new member Aaron Turner (Old Man Gloom, Sumac, Isis). The powerful album cover features familiar themes for the band, such as the human disconnect from nature. Those themes are even more relevant now, as noted by Turner, who states: “The world that we have all collectively grown up in has been troubled in many ways over the decades that we’ve been on this earth. However, I would think that most people could agree that this is the most turbulent time any of us can recall in our lifetimes. And I think that this music … serves as an outlet in a way that there is no other outlet. Neurosis was that for me when I first heard it, and it’s serving that purpose for me now, when there is a lot of anguish and grief to process, but there’s also joy and wonder, and all of it is being poured into what we’re doing.”
Play Me – Kim Gordon
The latest album by the former Sonic Youth member and alt-rock icon Kim Gordon shows her proving herself, continuing to be a relevant creative force at 72. On the albums, she indicts Trump, tech billionaires, and AI’s negative creative impact on music.
Previously featured album track “BYE BYE 25” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Honora – Flea
This jazz fusion album, which is a departure from his work as the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shows a different side to Flea, who also gets to showcase his skills as a trumpeter. The album is more spiritual than political, but it does possess a social awareness and addresses themes of love, peace, unity and nature.
Previously featured the album track “A Plea” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
No Ritmo da Terra – Antropoceno
The second in a planned trilogy of albums by the experimental Brazilian artist blends field recordings from the Amazon rainforest and traditional folk elements with futuristic electronic music, creating an ominous but compelling thesis statement on climate change and the impact of deforestation in the name of technological progress.
Weimar – Mary Ocher
The latest album by the Russian-born, German-based experimental artist is a piano-based avant-garde piece based on the fall of the Weimar Republic and the fascism that followed. The album draws historical parallels with what is currently taking place.
EPeepee – Cowboy Hunters
The EP was the Scottish punk duo, featuring 5 chaotic songs in 10 minutes. It is a perfect reflection of the fucked up state of the world. The EP’s most political track, “Shag Slags Not Flags,” an indictment of sexually frustrated racist online trolls, was featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
The Sisterhood 2 – Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Rémy
Appropriately released on International Women’s Day, and featuring tracks composed by UK vocalist Sarah Jane Morris and guitarist Tony Rémy, this album is a tribute to female singer-songwriters who influenced her, including many socially conscious singers such as Peggy Seeger, Sinéad O’ Connor, Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez, and Patti Smith. It highlights the different struggles that these ladies had to endure, spotlighting the broader challenges that we face as humanity.
Westside Trapped – heavensouls
The latest album by the Nigerian-born, Texas-based experimental hip-hop artist is a love letter to his native country. Making effective use of sound collage and African musical elements, it powerfully highlights the historical atrocities that have taken place against the Nigerian people. Also, on the album’s Bandcamp page, heavensouls made the following statement: “Fuck Trump, fuck his imperialist mindset, and fuck that administration. To them, there is no liberation, just exploitation.”
Urban Folk Music – Cosmo
The latest album by the UK folk-punk singer features a rousing collection of quirky satirical protest songs. Highlights include “Girls Won’t Fuck You Because….MARXISM!,” a humorous critique of toxic masculinity and Incel culture. Cosmo also closes the album with a galvanizing reworking (with updated lyrics) of the traditional folk tune “This Train (Is Bound For Glory).”
New England Forever – Dropkick Murphys & Haywire
Veteran Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys have never been afraid to speak out against injustices, and in recent times have been vocal critics of Trump and his administration. On their recent split EP, they have joined forces with their like-minded tourmates Haywire.
Previously featured “Citizen I.C.E.” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Colonial Drift – William Crighton
The latest album by the Australian singer-songwriter and activist focuses on Aboriginal rights and the destruction of their sacred land. Crighton described the album as: “A swag of songs inspired by my relationship with my big beautiful land. Things like Aboriginal lore and wisdom, colonial and convict history, and the continuous fight to keep the bush healthy and the old growth forests off the back of semis and out of wood chippers.”
Transcendentalism I – The Philharmonik
The winner of the 2024 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, the latest EP by the versatile hip-hop and R&B artist features a collection of 8 socially conscious tunes, including the soulful, funky, and ominous “Writing On The Wall,” which was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest
Dads At The End Of The World – Sole & Televangel
This collaborative album between the socially conscious emcee Sole and producer Televangel, focuses on the challenges and lessons of fatherhood. Sole pulls no punches, with the fatherly advice he gives to his children to navigate them through these tumultuous times, such as telling his six-year-old son on the opening title track, “I told him never pledge allegiance to a flag—what kind of sick shit is that?”
GIRLS ARE WEAPONS PORCELAIN BLOODSLUT – Bunny Mimi
This intense and provocatively titled electro-industrial album speaks out against violence against women and discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
Punk Rock Prepared Us For This – Joe Solo
The latest album by the veteran UK folk punker and activist is filled with anthemic tunes addressing issues both political and personal. Concerning the album, Solo stated on the album’s Bandcamp page:
“I wanted to write a series of songs about what we’re fighting, and what we’re fighting for.
Sometimes these things aren’t just political, they are cultural and social. They are family and friends, gigs and festivals, the basic right to be seen, appreciated, respected and understood.
These things intersect and overlap and carry different levels of importance to different people.
That is why the 21st Century way of populist over-simplification leaves so many marginalised and angry, but in that over-simplification is the key.
They want us to feel marginalised and angry because that feeds division, and through that division we are rendered unable to do anything meaningful to combat their authority, corruption, and lust for profit at all costs.
Sometimes fighting back starts with something simple, like a long look in the mirror.
Or pressing ‘PLAY’ on a record…..”
Insurrection Act REMIX- David Rovics
Originally, this album by the prolific singer-songwriter and activist was recorded as a stripped-down acoustic version with his frequent collaborator Kamala Emanuel. This version features additional instrumentation from Chet Gardiner. Rovics wrote the lyrics to all of the tunes, but 18 of the album’s 20 protest songs were AI-assisted with the music and were previously released by AI Tsuno, Rovics’ divisive AI side project.
Check out the ongoing playlist of 2026 protest songs.
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